The Vigil marked its 16th anniversary and – to our surprise – we were joined by the new Ambassador Christian M Katsande and his deputy. He invited us to have a meeting with him and we are happy to accept the invitation. This is the first time in 16 years that the Embassy has chosen to engage with us. The Ambassador bought a copy of the Vigil book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ for which we gave him a receipt at his request.

Zimbabwe House has been an unfriendly place for years. It is closed on Saturdays when the Vigil protests but when we tried to communicate with them during the week it has always gone into panic mode, calling the police (right next door) to get us out of the building.

We want to ask them why things haven’t changed in Zimbabwe in the 16 years we have been protesting outside the Embassy. The Vigil believes that the problem is Zanu PF’s controlling mindset. Despite the ousting of Mugabe by Mnangagwa, this hasn’t changed. It’s got worse. Even as the economy collapses Zanu PF refuses to accept responsibility, now blaming the situation on enemies spreading panic and confusion. Stop the money dealers, they say, stop the vendors (see:https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zanu-pf-appeals-to-government-to-allow-imports-17419832). These ‘enemy agents’ have replaced ‘sanctions’ as the cause of the country’s troubles.

The EU report on the elections reinforces the view from Harare North that the UK has backed the wrong horse in Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF-lite (https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/10/zim-election-results-murky-eu/). The UK will probably facilitate a financial bail out for Zimbabwe but we at the Vigil have little confidence that even a big loan will end our problems. Ten months into the new regime and how many of the corrupt Zanu PF elite are in jail? How many bankrupt parastatals have been reformed? Meanwhile, the economist Godfrey Kanyenze, a former board member of the reserve bank, says the Mnangagwa regime has already run up a debt of over $4.5 billion since last November (see: http://www.mikecampbellfoundationresources.com/page/debt-rises-dramatically).

Other points

After the visit of the Ambassador those at the Vigil were asked what we should require from the Embassy. It was suggested that we should challenge the Embassy on the reported co-operation with the Home Office to facilitate deportation of Zimbabweans back home. We should also make the case for the diaspora vote.

A Zimbabwean passer-by who appeared to be involved with an EU project on wild life in Zimbabwe talked to one of our key activists. He asked what were we achieving by our protest and suggested that if he came back to Zimbabwe he would ensure he got a farm!

Chief Felix Ndiweni says one of Zimbabwe’s problems is that traditional leaders have been politicised by Zanu PF. Chief Ndiweni had worked in the UK for 34 years before going home to Matabeleland to succeed his father who had been chief for 71 years. He came back to London to address a meeting on Zimbabwe at the Royal Geographical Society on Tuesday. He told the meeting, arranged by the Mike Campbell Foundation, that the youth were angry and needed to be taken seriously. Another speaker at the meeting was MDC Alliance politician Gift Kunjona, who has been imprisoned 44 times for his political activism. He spoke about Zanu PF impunity. The human rights activist Ben Freeth said he had no doubt that the July elections were rigged and was sad at the muted response by the then UK Ambassador Catriona Laing. Prayers for Zimbabwe were led by the Archbishop of York John Sentamu, who famously cut up his clerical collar on TV in protest at Mugabe. He spoke of a need for justice in Zimbabwe.

Congratulations to Patricia Masamba who has been made a Vigil co-ordinator because of her commitment to the Vigil. She is one of the team who ensures the Vigil keeps running by bringing the Vigil table, banners, posters and other paraphernalia to the Embassy on a Saturday.

Thanks to those who came early to help set up the table and put up the banners: Linda Dodzo, Miriam Gasho, Joyce Mbairatsunga, Tapiwa Muskwe, Minienhle Sibanda and Ephraim Tapa. Thanks also to Minienhle, Linda, Miriam and Joyce for looking after the front table and handing out flyers and to Minienhle and Grace Nyaume for taking extra photos.

The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.

ACTSA Conference 2018 – Zimbabwe: More of the same? Saturday 27th October from 2 – 4 pm at Unite the Union, 128 Theobalds Rd, London, WC1X 8TN – nearest tubes are Holborn and Russell Square. Following Zimbabwe’s highly controversial national elections and the post-election repression, what does the future look like for human rights, equality and sustainable development in the country? Speakers include Daizy Fabian (Restoration of Human Rights / Zimbabwe Vigil), Hugo Knoppert (Zimbabwe Europe Network) and Glanis Changachirere (Institute for Young Women Development).This is a free event but please register by emailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
to confirm your place. And please share with your colleagues and networks: https://actsa.org/actsa-conference-2018-zimbabwe-more-of-the-same/.

The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded over the past 15 years as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil for £10. All proceeds will go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe's work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.

Zimbabwe Action Forum meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.

How time flies. Here we are again with hyperinflation, emptying shelves and no real money: just as predicted when Zanu PF cast off the constraints of coalition government 5 years ago and started feeding again.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, chastened by his look into the government ledgers, is visiting Britain in a desperate bid to raise money – Zimbabwe having been rebuffed by China, tired of non-performing loans. The Vigil wishes Ncube the best of luck.

Apart from talks with the British government and prospective investors, the minister is scheduled to speak on Monday at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London, where the Vigil has staged many protests against Zanu PF representatives, notably Ncube’s predecessor Chinamasa.

The new minister is, we believe, a non-party figure. So this time we will be taking the day off, giving him the benefit of the doubt. We too want investment in our country.

But Ncube’s new tax on electronic money transactions shows how desperate the Zimbabwean government is. The MDC describes it as a tax on the poor. Ncube’s task now is to ensure that the rich share the burden and spare us the sight of a $3 million Bugati car being unloaded at Robert Mugabe International Airport.

The diaspora watches anxiously as the government tries to deal with the the deteriorating financial situation, though we are encouraged by signs of a more responsive attitude by the authorities on some fronts. We were astonished when the new Minister of Health and Childcare, Dr Obadiah Moyo, promptly flew to Bulawayo to look into a public health question brought to his attention by human rights activists. ‘Burombo flats has got burst pipes with running raw sewage, sometimes running through the houses’, he was told (see: http://nehandaradio.com/2018/10/02/burombo-flats-condemned-as-unfit-for-human-habitation/).

Another heartening sign of a change in behaviour is suggested by a court decision ordering the state to pay $150,000 to the human rights activist Jestina Mukoko for damages after she was abducted in 2008 and tortured by state security agents.

Other points

One of our Vigil activists, Daizy Fabian, is to speak at the 2018 Conference of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) on Saturday 27th October. Daizy’s aunt was one of those shot dead by soldiers on 1st August. For full details see: ‘Events and Notices’ below.

Thanks to those who came early on a rainy day – the first in London in ages – to help set up the table and put up the banners: Miriam Gasho, Josephine Jombe, Marian Machekanyanga, Alice Majola, Margaret Munenge and Ephraim Tapa. Thanks also to Josephine, Alice and Marian for looking after the front table, to Heather Makawa and Deborah Harry for handing out flyers and to Heather for taking extra photos.

The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.

ACTSA Conference 2018 – Zimbabwe: More of the same? Saturday 27th October from 2 – 4 pm at Unite the Union, 128 Theobalds Rd, London, WC1X 8TN – nearest tubes are Holborn and Russell Square. Following Zimbabwe’s highly controversial national elections and the post-election repression, what does the future look like for human rights, equality and sustainable development in the country? Speakers include Daizy Fabian (Restoration of Human Rights / Zimbabwe Vigil), Hugo Knoppert (Zimbabwe Europe Network) and Glanis Changachirere (Institute for Young Women Development).This is a free event but please register by emailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
to confirm your place. And please share with your colleagues and networks: https://actsa.org/actsa-conference-2018-zimbabwe-more-of-the-same/.

The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded over the past 15 years as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil for £10. All proceeds will go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe's work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.

Zimbabwe Action Forum meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.

How time flies. Here we are again with hyperinflation, emptying shelves and no real money: just as predicted when Zanu PF cast off the constraints of coalition government 5 years ago and started feeding again.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, chastened by his look into the government ledgers, is visiting Britain in a desperate bid to raise money – Zimbabwe having been rebuffed by China, tired of non-performing loans. The Vigil wishes Ncube the best of luck.

Apart from talks with the British government and prospective investors, the minister is scheduled to speak on Monday at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London, where the Vigil has staged many protests against Zanu PF representatives, notably Ncube’s predecessor Chinamasa.

The new minister is, we believe, a non-party figure. So this time we will be taking the day off, giving him the benefit of the doubt. We too want investment in our country.

But Ncube’s new tax on electronic money transactions shows how desperate the Zimbabwean government is. The MDC describes it as a tax on the poor. Ncube’s task now is to ensure that the rich share the burden and spare us the sight of a $3 million Bugati car being unloaded at Robert Mugabe International Airport.

The diaspora watches anxiously as the government tries to deal with the the deteriorating financial situation, though we are encouraged by signs of a more responsive attitude by the authorities on some fronts. We were astonished when the new Minister of Health and Childcare, Dr Obadiah Moyo, promptly flew to Bulawayo to look into a public health question brought to his attention by human rights activists. ‘Burombo flats has got burst pipes with running raw sewage, sometimes running through the houses’, he was told (see: http://nehandaradio.com/2018/10/02/burombo-flats-condemned-as-unfit-for-human-habitation/).

Another heartening sign of a change in behaviour is suggested by a court decision ordering the state to pay $150,000 to the human rights activist Jestina Mukoko for damages after she was abducted in 2008 and tortured by state security agents.

Other points

One of our Vigil activists, Daizy Fabian, is to speak at the 2018 Conference of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) on Saturday 27th October. Daizy’s aunt was one of those shot dead by soldiers on 1st August. For full details see: ‘Events and Notices’ below.

Thanks to those who came early on a rainy day – the first in London in ages – to help set up the table and put up the banners: Miriam Gasho, Josephine Jombe, Marian Machekanyanga, Alice Majola, Margaret Munenge and Ephraim Tapa. Thanks also to Josephine, Alice and Marian for looking after the front table, to Heather Makawa and Deborah Harry for handing out flyers and to Heather for taking extra photos.

The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.

ACTSA Conference 2018 – Zimbabwe: More of the same? Saturday 27th October from 2 – 4 pm at Unite the Union, 128 Theobalds Rd, London, WC1X 8TN – nearest tubes are Holborn and Russell Square. Following Zimbabwe’s highly controversial national elections and the post-election repression, what does the future look like for human rights, equality and sustainable development in the country? Speakers include Daizy Fabian (Restoration of Human Rights / Zimbabwe Vigil), Hugo Knoppert (Zimbabwe Europe Network) and Glanis Changachirere (Institute for Young Women Development).This is a free event but please register by emailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
to confirm your place. And please share with your colleagues and networks: https://actsa.org/actsa-conference-2018-zimbabwe-more-of-the-same/.

The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded over the past 15 years as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil for £10. All proceeds will go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe's work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.

Zimbabwe Action Forum meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.

With formal unemployment estimated at 90%, street trading has been the mainspring of the economy for at least the last 20 years. Born of desperation, it is for many people the only way of scraping a living.

Now they are blamed for the failure of the state and accused of spreading cholera when decades of corruption and negligence have allowed the collapse of infrastructure and the pollution of urban water sources.

The comrades of Zanu PF have sadly neglected the poor in their bold strides towards self-enrichment. Easy enough: just don’t go to the high density suburbs to be reminded of reality.

Zimbabwe’s street vendors, who include university graduates, have been an innovative resource, selling almost anything. But they may have been outpaced by Zambian vendors who have found a market for crap ours hadn’t thought of.

Fearing the import of cholera, our Zambian neighbours imposed a regime requiring Zimbabweans to demonstrate they were not carrying the disease. They were offered a lavatory where officials would check their stools for cholera. Laxatives were available. The easy way out was to buy Zambian stools instead.

Latest news however is that the bottom has fallen out of the stool market. The Zambian authorities have apparently turned their nose up at it, saying the whole business stinks. Zimbabweans will be unable to afford it soon anyway because President Mnangagwa says he’s going to introduce a programme of austerity to help revive the economy. Zimbabweans are well prepared for it.

The Vigil would add another of his lies: his demand for an end to ‘illegal’ sanctions. He neglects to mention that Mugabe wasted a fortune in legal costs in a failed attempt to get EU sanctions declared illegal.

Ethiopia is sending a team to Harare to learn from ZEC how to run elections. While they are in Zimbabwe they would be better advised to consult the former Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, who advised Mugabe how to rig elections. He was given asylum in Zimbabwe which has refused Ethiopian requests to extradite him for trial.

Thanks to those who came early to help set up the table and put up the banners: Miriam Gasho, Jonathan Kariwo, Patricia Masamba, Raymond Mashamba and Minienhle Sibanda. Thanks also to Patricia, Minienhle and Jonathan for looking after the front table and to Miriam for handing out flyers.

The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.

The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded over the past 15 years as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil for £10. All proceeds will go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe's work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.

Zimbabwe Action Forum meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.

You may remember the ever-popular Hollywood film Groundhog Day. (It seems to shown every day!) The film tells the story of a man who had to repeatedly relive the previous day until he finally learnt to live it properly. We fear you face the same predicament.

You must have learnt a lot in the few short weeks you have been in office – for instance that it is not as easy as you thought to ditch the odious bond money. And that the Herald’s daily reports of mega-billions of dollars about to pour into the country are Groundhog news.

In fact, as you must be aware by now, things are getting worse by the day. The economy continues to deteriorate, prices rise inexorably and the difficulty of getting foreign exchange is ever more acute.

Reports of your visit to New York with President Mnangagwa say you favour a ‘big bang’ fiscal shock to spur a programme of economic reform, but fear being constrained by politics. Your fear is justified. The International Monetary Fund seems (every day!) to have offered to help Zimbabwe but Zanu PF (every day!) spits out the medicine it prescribes.

Next month sees the 16th anniversary of the weekly Vigil outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. During this time we have recorded in our diaries what has been going on in Zimbabwe. The diaries have been published in our book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’. Since you have not been in Zimbabwe for much of this time we are sending you a copy of this book so you can see what happened in your absence.

You will read, week by week, of the madness of Zanu PF in plunging the country into violence and destitution. Our view is that until the Zanu PF philosophy of smash and grab is expunged Zimbabweans in general will be unable to realise the riches endowed on our country.

If you glance through the book you will read of one disastrous mistake after another, from the chaotic land reforms to Murambatsvina, from the 2008 cholera epidemic and the collapse of the health system to the 2010 indigenisation law and Mugabe’s bland statement in March 2016 that $15 billion had been looted from the diamond mines.

The lesson is that nothing changes under Zanu PF. Welcome to Groundhog Day.

Other points

Thanks to those who came early to help set up: Abigail Chidavayenzi, Linda Dodzo, Chido Makawa, Heather Makawa, Michelle Makoni, Raymond Mashamba, Margaret Munenge, Esther Munyira, Pearl Shambare, Soneni Sibanda and Ephraim Tapa. Thanks also to Pearl, Soneni and Margaret for looking after the front table, to Michelle, Chido, Abigail and Heather for handing out flyers, to Heather for photos and to Ephraim, Esther and Raymond for putting up the banners and tarpaulin.

The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.

The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded over the past 15 years as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil for £10. All proceeds will go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe's work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.

Zimbabwe Action Forum meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.